Alpha Phi Alpha Celebrates 102nd Anniversary

It is hard to imagine a time when AfricanPowell will be one of the panelists. The fraternity
American students were not fully integrated intois also pleased to honor CNN senior correspondent
collegiate life at mainstream campuses across theSoledad O'Brien with the Alpha Award of Honor,
country. Prior to 1906 and the formation of thewhich is the highest honor for a non-fraternity
first Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,member. The organization will also hold a special
Inc., many Black college students were ostracizedscreening of O'Brien's much-anticipated series,
on all-White campuses and unable to enjoy the"Black in America." In addition, actor Hill Harper will
entire college experience. However, on Decemberalso receive the Alpha Award of Honor for his
4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., thebestselling books, Letters to a Young Brother and
Alphas became the first Black fraternity, and laidLetters to a Young Sister. On July 18th and 19th,
the foundation for the other eight Blackthey will hold the annual Belford V. Lawson
Greek-letter organizations. On July 17, 2008 theOratorical Contest tackling the timely question "Is
Black fraternity, known for such prestigiousthe N-word Really Buried?" More importantly is
members as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ThurgoodAlpha Phi Alpha's commitment to the younger
Marshall and Cornell West will kick off their 102ndgeneration. Matthews has called for 10,000
Anniversary Convention in Kansas City, Mo. "Thismembers to become mentors, to assist in
year's convention is certainly going to be anfundraisers and to serve local Big Brothers Big
experience in history in terms of the bold political,Sisters of America chapters. The Black fraternity
social and economic initiatives we will bewill also recognize nearly 20 Kansas City high
conducting in Kansas City," says the fraternity'sschool students for outstanding scholastic
32nd General President Darryl R. Matthews, Sr. "Inachievements and community service. And on July
keeping with the tradition of the fraternity, Alpha21st, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha will host their
will leave a positive mark on Kansas City, as weProject Alpha initiative addressing the dilemma of
have been doing for the rest of the nation forteenage pregnancy, focusing on safe-sex
more than a century." The Black fraternityeducation and individual responsibility. "During my
expects over 5,000 members for the conventiontenure, I strived to continue in the tradition of
themed, "Developing Leaders for Service andwhich [Alpha Phi Alpha was] founded, to elevate
Advocacy," which will feature workshops, businessthe conversation, mentality and consciousness of
sessions and appearances by Soledad O'Brien, Hillour Alpha brothers," says Matthews. "We need to
Harper, Dr. Randall Pinkett and Alpha membercontinue to spark intellectual discourse and be
Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). On theintentional in our efforts to create, commit and
eve of an historical presidential election, Alpha Phicontribute to the positive well-being of the
Alpha will host a town hall forum entitled,communities in which we represent."
"Voteless People is a Hopeless People," onTodd A. Smith is the publisher of an online
Saturday, July 19th. The meeting will discussmagazine dedicated to issues affecting African
important political issues affecting both majorAmerican men. The website tackles such topics
party candidates and encourage voter education,as social and political issues, health, relationships,
voter registration and basic civic participation.business, sports and entertainment.
Famed journalist and fraternity member Kevin